Assemblies; components and filter features thereof; and, methods of use and assembly

ABSTRACT

An air cleaner assembly is disclosed, along with related methods. In one aspect, the air cleaner assembly has a housing including a housing body and a removable cover that together define an interior volume for holding a filter cartridge. The housing body can include a first plurality of lugs, wherein each of the first plurality of lugs has a first engagement surface disposed at a first angle that is oblique to a rotational plane of the cover. A second plurality of lugs can be provided on the cover, wherein each of the second plurality of lugs has a second engagement surface disposed at the first angle. A lock mechanism can also be provided that is disposed on the cover, wherein the lock mechanism includes a lock member axially movable between a locked position and an unlocked position to selectively secure the cover to the housing body.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/184,567, filed on Jun. 25, 2015. The entirety of U.S. 62/184,567is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to filter assemblies, for example aircleaner assemblies, and components and features thereof, and methods ofassembly and use. The filter assemblies comprise a housing having aremovable and replaceable filter cartridge therein. The filter cartridgeis optionally configured with a housing seal arrangement, to advantage.Various features of filter housings and/or the cartridges are described,including features directed to securing the housing to a removablecover, which can provide for advantage. Methods of assembly and use aredescribed.

BACKGROUND

Air or other gas filtering is desirable in a number of systems. Atypical application is in the filtration of intake air to internalcombustion engines. Another is in the filtration of crankcaseventilation filter assemblies. Typically, such systems comprise filterassemblies having a serviceable filter cartridge therein. After a periodof use, filter media within a filter housing requires servicing, eitherthrough cleaning or complete replacement. Typically, for an air cleaneror crankcase ventilation filter assembly used with an internalcombustion engine, for example on a vehicle, the filter media iscontained in a removable and replaceable, i.e. serviceable, component,typically referred as a filter element or cartridge. The filtercartridge is configured to be removably sealed within the air cleaner,in use. Improvements in filter arrangements relating to assembly,serviceability, use are desirable.

SUMMARY

Filter assemblies (such as air cleaner assemblies or crankcaseventilation filter assemblies) components therefor; and, featuresthereof are described. Also described are methods of assembly and use.The filter assemblies generally comprise a housing assembly having afilter cartridge removably positioned therein. The housing assemblyincludes a housing body and a removable cover which can be securedtogether in an axial direction through the interaction of respectivelugs located on the housing body and on the cover.

The lugs on the housing body can be engaged with the lugs on the coverby first axially displacing the cover towards the housing body along thelongitudinal axis of the housing assembly until the lugs on the covermove past the lugs on the housing body. At this point, the cover can berotated in a direction C about the longitudinal axis such that a rampedengagement surface of each lug is brought into engagement with a rampedengagement surface of a corresponding lug. As this rotation occurs, therespective ramped engagement surfaces will function to draw the covertowards the housing body in an axial direction until a stop surface onthe cover comes into contact with an open end of the housing body, atwhich point further rotation is prevented. To hold the cover in thisposition relative to the housing body, a lock mechanism can be providedwhich includes a lock member that can be inserted between two adjacentlugs such that the cover cannot be rotated in the reverse direction todisengage the lugs such that the cover can be removed from the housingbody.

In one example, an air cleaner is disclosed having a housing including ahousing body and a removable cover that together define an interiorvolume for holding a filter cartridge. The removable cover can berotatable with respect to the housing body along a plane of rotation.The housing body can include a first plurality of lugs, wherein each ofthe first plurality of lugs has a first engagement surface disposed at afirst angle that is oblique to the plane of rotation. A second pluralityof lugs can be provided on the cover, wherein each of the secondplurality of lugs has a second engagement surface disposed at the firstangle. A lock mechanism can also be provided that is disposed on thecover, wherein the lock mechanism includes a lock member axially movablebetween a locked position and an unlocked position.

In one aspect, the cover is positionable between a secured position andan unsecured position. In the secured position, at least one of thefirst engagement surfaces of the first plurality of lugs is inoverlapping contact with at least one of the second engagement surfacesof the second plurality of lugs such that the cover is prevented fromrotating in a first direction along the plane of rotation and whereinthe lock member extends between two of the first plurality of lugs toprevent the cover from being rotated in a second direction opposite thefirst direction. In the unsecured position, the lock member is removedfrom between the two of the first plurality of ramped lugs such that thecover can be rotated in the second direction.

The air cleaner assembly can also be configured such that each of thefirst plurality of lugs includes a guide surface disposed at a secondangle that is oblique to the plane of rotation, wherein the guidesurface is for guiding the lock member towards a first side of one ofthe first plurality of lugs as the lock member is being displacedbetween two of the first plurality of lugs. A guide member extendingfrom the guide surface of each of the first plurality of lugs can alsobe provide and can act to constrain the movement of the lock memberalong the guide surface.

There is no specific requirement that an air cleaner assembly, componenttherefor, or feature thereof include all of the detail characterizedherein, to obtain some advantage according to the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an air cleaner assembly havingfeatures in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the air cleaner assembly shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the air cleanerassembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a primary filter cartridge ofthe air cleaner assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is schematic cross-sectional view of the primary filter cartridgeshown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a secondary filter cartridge of theair cleaner assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is schematic cross-sectional view of the secondary filtercartridge shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a schematic partially exploded perspective view of the aircleaner assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the cover removed from the housingbody.

FIG. 9 is a schematic elevational view of a lug of the cover beingaligned with a lug of the housing body of the air cleaner assembly shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a schematic elevational view of the lugs shown in FIG. 9 inan engaged position.

FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of the housing body of the air cleanerassembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged schematic view of a portion of the housing bodyof the air cleaner assembly shown in FIG. 1, taken along the sectionline 12-12 shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cover of the aircleaner assembly shown in FIG. 1, taken along the line 13-13 in FIG. 23.

FIG. 14 is a schematic side view of the air cleaner assembly shown inFIG. 1, with a cut-a-way portion showing the lock mechanism in anunlocked position.

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of the air cleaner assembly shown inFIG. 1, with a cut-a-way portion showing the lock mechanism in a lockedposition.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the lock mechanism of the air cleanerassembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the lock mechanism shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged portion of the lock mechanism shown at FIG. 16,as indicated at FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the lock mechanism shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a partially exploded view of the cover and the lock mechanismshown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 21 is a top view of the cover and lock mechanism shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged portion of the cover and lock mechanism shown inFIG. 16, taken along the line 21-22 in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the cover of the air cleaner assembly shownin FIG. 1, with the lock assembly removed.

FIG. 24 is a top view of the cover of the air cleaner assembly shown inFIG. 1, with the lock assembly removed.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged top view of a portion of the cover of the aircleaner assembly shown in FIG. 1, as indicated at FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cover of the aircleaner assembly shown in FIG. 1, as indicated at line 26-26 at FIG. 23.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the cover of the aircleaner assembly shown in FIG. 1, as indicated at line 27-27 at FIG. 24.

FIG. 28 is an enlarged elevational view of the inside of the cover shownin FIG. 13.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the cover shown in FIG. 28, takenalong the lines 29-29.

FIG. 30 is a schematic side view of the air cleaner assembly shown inFIG. 1, with a cut-a-way portion showing the lock mechanism in a lockedposition and showing a modified lug configuration.

FIG. 31 is a schematic side view of the air cleaner assembly shown inFIG. 1, with a cut-a-way portion showing the lock mechanism in a lockedposition and showing a modified lug configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein, an example filter assemblies, features and components thereforare described and depicted. A variety of specific features andcomponents are characterized in detail. Many can be applied to provideadvantage. There is no specific requirement that the various individualfeatures and components be applied in an overall assembly with all ofthe features and characteristics described, however, in order to providefor some benefit in accord with the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, an air cleaner assembly 100 is shown. In oneaspect, the air cleaner assembly 100 includes a housing assembly 102including a housing body 104 and a removable cover 106. When the cover106 is attached to the housing body 104, the cover 106 and housing body104 define an interior volume 108. The air cleaner assembly 100 is alsoshown as including a primary filter cartridge 200 and a secondary filtercartridge 220, both of which are disposed within the interior volume 108of the air cleaner assembly 100.

As shown, the primary filter cartridge 200 includes a closed end cap 202and an open end cap 204, between which filter media 206 extends. In oneexample, the end caps 202, 204 are formed from a molded polyurethanematerial. As shown, filter media 206 is pleated cellulosic mediaarranged into a tubular, cylindrical shape defining an interior 208 andan exterior side 210. A support tube 212, which may formed from aplastic or metal material, is provided at the interior 208 of the media206 to support the media 206. Other configurations for the primaryfilter cartridge 200 are possible without departing from the conceptspresented herein. An example primary filter cartridge usable with theair cleaner assembly 100 disclosed herein is fully shown and describedin United States Patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,864,866, issued on Oct. 21,2014, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

As shown, the secondary filter cartridge 220 includes a closed end cap222 and an open end cap 224, between which filter media 226 extends. Inone example, the end caps 222, 224 are formed from a molded polyurethanematerial. As shown, filter media 226 is a synthetic non-pleated fabricmedia arranged into a tubular, cylindrical shape defining an interior228 and an exterior side 230. An inner liner 232 is provided at theinterior 208 of the media 206 and an outer liner 234 is provide at theexterior side 230 of the media 206 to support the media 206. The liners232, 234 may be formed from a plastic or metal material. Otherconfigurations for the secondary filter cartridge 220 are possiblewithout departing from the concepts presented herein. An examplesecondary filter cartridge usable with the air cleaner assembly 100disclosed herein is fully shown and described in United States PatentU.S. Pat. No. 8,864,866.

The housing body 104 is further shown as having an air inlet 110 and arotatable air outlet 112. As configured, the secondary filter cartridge220 is mounted within the housing body 104 such that the open end cap224 seals to a portion of the housing body 104 to place the interior 228of the secondary filter cartridge 220 in fluid tight communication withthe air outlet 112. In the embodiment shown, the open end cap 224 formsan outwardly directed radial seal against a portion of the housing. Theprimary filter cartridge 200 is mounted within the housing body 104 andover the secondary filter cartridge 220 such that the secondary filtercartridge 220 is received within the interior 208 of the primary filtercartridge 200. The open end cap 204 of the primary filter cartridge 200seals to a portion of the housing body 104 such that the interior 208 ofthe primary filter cartridge 200 is in fluid tight communication withthe secondary filter cartridge interior 208. In operation, with thecover 106 attached to the housing body 104, unfiltered air flows intothe air inlet 110 and passes through the media 206 from the main filtercartridge exterior side 210 to the interior 208. The air then flowsthrough the secondary filter cartridge media 226 from the exterior side230 to the interior 228, where the fully filtered air the passes throughthe outlet 112 and to connected equipment, such as the air intake systemof an internal combustion engine. The cover 106 can be provided with adust ejection valve 114 to discharge accumulated particulates from theinterior volume 108 of the housing assembly 102.

To secure the cover 106 to the housing body 104, a twist-lockarrangement 120 is provided in which a plurality of lugs 122 areprovided on a wall 129 of the housing body 104 that engage with aplurality of ramped lugs 124 on the cover 106. By use of the term “lug”it is meant to include any type of protrusion that extends from asidewall. Examples of protrusions within the meaning of the term lug areprotrusions having a geometrically or irregularly shaped cross-section,protrusions configured to provide a single point of contact, protrusionshaving an elongated surface, protrusions having a continuous ordiscontinuous surface, and groups of independently formed protrusions.As presented, the lugs 122, 124 are integrally molded projectionsextending radially outwardly from the housing body 104 and extendingradially inwardly from the cover 106, respectively.

In the particular embodiment shown, twelve lugs 122 are provided whilesix lugs 124 are provided. However, it is noted that the number of lugs122 may be equal to or less than the number of lugs 124. Otherquantities of lugs 122, 124 may be provided, such as one lug 122, 124,two lugs 122, 124, four lugs 122, 124, and six lugs 122, 124. In oneexample, a single lug 122 is provided on the housing body 104 and asingle luge 124 is provided on the cover 106. In such a case, anadditional alignment feature may be provided to ensure that the cover106 is properly oriented with respect to the housing body 104 such thatthe single lugs 122, 124 will be properly engaged upon rotation of thecover 106. In one example, a single lug 124 is provided on the cover 106while two or more lugs 122 are provided on the housing body. Providingtwo or more lugs 124 on the cover 106 can be advantageous over thepreviously described example in which only one lug 122 and one lug 124are provided. For example, providing two or more lugs 124 on the cover106 increases the number of possible locking positions of the cover 106onto the housing body 104. To illustrate, the lug 124 can engage witheither the first lug 122 or the second lug 122 on the housing body, orany other lug 122 additionally provided on the housing body 104.Additionally, the maximum rotation of the cover 106 on the housing body104 required to lock the cover 106 to the housing body 104 is decreasedas the number of lugs 122 are increased. To illustrate, the cover 106may be required to rotate almost 360 (minus the length of the lug 12) inorder to bring the cover lug 124 into engagement with a lug 122 whenonly one lug 122 is provided. However, providing two lugs 124 reducesthe maximum rotation to less than 180 degrees, providing three lugsreduces the maximum rotation to less than 120 degrees, and so on. In oneexample, a single lug 122 is provided on the housing body while two ormore lugs 124 are provided on the cover 106. Including two or more lugs124 for the single lug 122 can provide the same advantages as previouslydescribed for the example in which a single lug 124 and two or more lugs122 are provided.

To install the cover 106 onto the housing body 104, the cover 106 isaligned with longitudinal axis X of the housing body 104 and is orientedsuch that lugs 124 are aligned between the lugs 122, as shown at FIG. 8.The lugs 122 and 124 necessarily lie along a common or near-commondiameter to enable the lugs 122, 124 to engage with each other. As such,the lugs 124 must be rotationally aligned between the lugs 122 in orderfor the cover 106 to be fully installed onto the housing body 104. Oncealigned, the cover 106 can then axially displaced towards the housingbody 104 along the axis X in a direction A until ramped engagementsurfaces 124 a of the lugs 124 move partially past ramped engagementsurfaces 122 a of the lugs 122. This position can be seen at theschematic provided at FIG. 9 where it can be seen that the lug 124 hasbeen at partially displaced below the lug 122.

By use of the terms “ramped” in relation to a surface or engagementsurface, it is meant to indicate a surface that is disposed at anoblique angle relative to the plane of rotation R. As the longitudinalaxis X is at a right angle to the plane of rotation, the ramped surfaceis also disposed at an oblique angle to the axis X. The ramped surfacemay be a planar surface, a curved surface, a smooth surface free ofprotrusions and indentations, or a surface including protrusions and/orindentations. In the embodiment shown, the ramped engagement surfaces122 a, 124 a are smooth, planar surfaces. Where a ramped surface isreferred to as an engagement surface in configurations where at least aportion of the surface is configured to come into contact with anothersurface. For example, ramped engagement surface 124 a is configured tocome into direct contact with a ramped engagement surface 122 a. Asshown, each of the ramped engagement surfaces 122 a, 124 a of the lugs122, 124 is disposed at a first angle a relative to the plane ofrotation R. As such, the ramped surface 122 a is parallel to the rampedsurface 124 a. In one example, the first angle is about 10 degrees.However, other oblique angles may also be utilized without departingfrom the concepts presented herein. The angle of the engagement surface122 a can also be a different angle than that of the engagement surface124 a, although a single or reduced point of contact between the lugs122, 124 might be expected to occur rather than having the majority ofthe lengths of the surfaces 122 a, 124 a in contact with each other.

At this point, the cover 106 can be rotated in a direction C about thelongitudinal axis X and along a plane of rotation R such that the rampedengagement surface 124 a of each lug 124 is brought into engagement withthe ramped engagement surface 122 a of a corresponding lug 122, as shownat FIG. 10. As this rotation occurs, the ramped engagement surfaces 122a, 124 a will function to draw the cover 106 towards the housing body104 until a stop surface or shoulder 126 on the cover 106 comes intocontact with the open end 128 of the housing body 104 at which pointfurther rotation is prevented. In some embodiments, the length of theprimary filter cartridge 200 is such that a compressive force isrequired to engage the shoulder 126 with the open end 128. In suchinstances, this compressive force increases the friction between thesurfaces 122 a, 124 a and can aid in maintaining engagement between thelugs 122, 124. Additionally, where such a compression configurationexists, the air cleaner assembly 100 may be constructed such that theopen end 128 and the shoulder 126 do not engage when the cover 106 isfully tightened onto the housing body 104.

To hold the cover 106 in this closed position relative to the housingbody 104, a lock mechanism 160 can be provided which includes a lockmember 162 that can be inserted between two adjacent lugs 122, 124 suchthat the cover 106 cannot be rotated in the reverse direction O to openthe cover 106. In one example, a single lock mechanism 160 can beprovided on the cover and can be associated with a single lug 124. Inone example, multiple lock mechanisms 160 may be provided, wherein eachof the lock mechanisms is associated with an individual lug 124. Theremoval of the cover 106 from the housing body 104 is conducted in thereverse of installation, wherein the lock member 162 is removed frombetween the adjacent lugs 122 and the cover 106 is rotated in an openingdirection O until the lugs 124 are aligned between the lugs 122 suchthat the cover 106 can be pulled from the housing body 104 in thedirection B. The configuration of the lugs 122, 124 and the lockmechanism 160 are discussed in further detail in the followingparagraphs.

With reference to FIGS. 9-12, it can be seen that the perimeter of eachof the lugs 122 is defined by surface 122 a in addition to a side 122 b,a side 122 c, a guide surface 122 d, a nose portion 122 e, and arecessed portion 122 f. Internally, a post portion 122 h is providedbetween cavities 122 g and 122 i. The post portion 122 h is provided foradditional structural strength while the cavities 122 g and 122 i areprovided to ensure that the remaining portions of the lug 122 are of thesame general thickness as the other portions of the housing body 104 toensure that the molding and cooling process occurs in as even a manneras possible.

Each of the lugs 122 is also provided with a guide member 122 jextending from the guide surface 122 d such that a guide channel isdefined between the housing body 104 and the guide member 122 j. Theguide member 122 j and housing body 104 function to laterally constrainthe movement of the lock member 162 to ensure that the lock member 162travels along the guide surface 122 d as the lock member 162 is presseddownwardly in direction A.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9-10 and with reference to FIG. 13, itcan be seen that each of the ramped lugs 124 has a perimeter that isdefined by the engagement surface 124 a, a side 124 b, a side 124 c, anda side 124 d. An internal cavity 124 e is provided to ensure that theremaining portions of the lug 124 are of the same general thickness asthe other portions of the cover 106 to ensure that the molding andcooling process occurs in as even a manner as possible. Each of the lugs124 also has an interior face 124 f which is disposed at an angle b suchthat the bottom surface 124 c extends from the interior of the cover 106(i.e. wall portion 132) a distance d1 and the top surface extends adistance d2 that is greater than distance d1. This configuration is mosteasily viewed at FIGS. 28 to 29. In one example, the angle b is about 24degrees and distance d1 is about 4 millimeters. The disclosedconstruction allows the lugs 124 to have a wider diameter at the bottomsurface 124 c as compared to a corresponding diameter at the top surface124 a such that the clearance between the housing body wall 129 and thelug is greater at the bottom surface 124 c than at the top surface 124a. This additional clearance enhances the ability of an operator toinitially place the cover 106 over the housing body sidewall 129 andminimizes the need to have the cover 106 closely aligned with thehousing body 104 such that the lugs 124 are able to slide over thesidewall 129 and between the lugs 122.

FIG. 13 also shows the cover 106 as having a first outer portion 130 anda second outer portion 132 having a larger diameter than the first outerportion 130. As can be seen, the lugs 124 are located on the interiorside of the second portion 132. The shoulder 126 is shown as generallyextending orthogonally from the second outer portion 132 towards thefirst outer portion 130. As stated previously, the open end 128 of thehousing body 104 and the shoulder 126 are configured with similar oroverlapping diameters to ensure that the open end 128 engages with theshoulder 126 to act as a stop against which the cover 106 can be nofurther closed onto the housing body 104. As shown, the shoulder 126 canbe provided with a chamfered or rounded corner 126 a to aid in guidingthe housing open end 128 onto the shoulder 126.

With reference to FIGS. 14-20, details of the lock mechanism 160 can beseen in further detail. It is noted that FIGS. 14 and 15 are drawn withportions of the cover 106 removed for the purpose of showing thefunction of the lock mechanism 160. FIG. 14 shows the lock mechanism 160in an unlocked position while FIG. 15 shows the lock mechanism 160 in alocked position with the lock member 162 snapped against a lug 122 ofthe housing body 104. In addition to the lock member 162, the lockmechanism 160 also includes a main body 164 to which the lock member 162is mounted. The main body 164 is shown as being a single-piece,integrally molded plastic component defining a handle portion 164 a andan insert portion 164 b. The handle portion 164 a provides for a manualgrasping point for a user to manually displace the lock mechanism indirection A towards a locked position and in direction B towards anunlocked position. The insert portion 164 b is configured to be insertedinto a cavity 142 of a receiving structure 140 defined within the cover106. The cavity 142 extends from an exterior side of the cover 106,through the shoulder 126, and into the interior space defined by thecover outer portion 132. The handle portion 164 a also defines a surface164 t that acts as a stop member against an end 146 of the receivingstructure 140 such that a fully locked position of the lock mechanism160 is defined.

In one aspect, the insert portion 164 b defines a cavity 164 c andsidewalls 164 d, 164 e, 164 f that together define a channel 164 g.Sidewall 164 d is provided with a curved profile to allow the lockmember 162 to bend against the sidewall 164 d when the lock member 162is deflected by engagement with a lug 122. This configuration reducesthe point stress on the lock member 162 that would otherwise be exertedon the corner between segments 162 a and 162 b (discussed below) of thelock member 162.

The lock member 162 is provided as a bent metal wire having a firstsegment 162 a, a second segment 162 b disposed orthogonally to the firstsegment 162 a, a rounded nose portion 162 c extending at an obliqueangle with respect to the second segment 162 b, and a trailing segment162 d extending from the nose portion 162 c that adjoins a roundedportion 162 e. Although the lock member 162 is shown as being a metalwire having a circular cross-section, the lock member 162 is not limitedto such a configuration. For example, the lock member 162 could have adifferently shaped cross-section, such as a rectangular, square, oblong,oval, or another geometrically shaped cross-section. The lock member 162could also be formed from materials other than a wire material. Forexample, the lock member 162 could be formed from a stamped sheet ofmetal, molded from a plastic material, or formed from a compositematerial. In a preferred embodiment, the lock member 162 is formed froma creep resistant material that has stress and strain properties thatare generally independent of temperature variations. As such, formingthe lock member 162 from a steel wire is a suitable choice. In oneembodiment, the main body 164 can be overmolded onto the lock member162. In one embodiment, the main body 164 and the lock member 162 areformed from the same material, such as a plastic material, a metalmaterial, and/or a composite material.

To insert the lock member 162 onto the insert portion 164 b, the firstsegment 162 a is inserted into the cavity 164 c with the lock membersecond segment 162 b rotated away from the insert portion 164 b. Onceinserted, the lock member 162 can be rotated about the first segment 162a until the second segment 162 b is received into the channel 164 g. Asshown, a retaining structure 164 h can be provided on the insert portion164 b such that the second segment 162 b can be received into thechannel against the retaining structure 164 h when the second segment162 b is in a relaxed, non-deflected position. The retaining structure164 h acts to laterally constrain the lock member 162 from rotating outof the channel 164 g. Removal of the lock member 162 from the insertportion 164 b is the reverse operation.

The main body 164 is shown as also including a pair of extension members164 i, 164 j from which catch members 164 k, 164 m respectively extend.The extension members 164 i, 164 j are deflectable with respect to theremaining portions of the main body 164. As most easily seen at FIG. 26,the receiving structure can be provided with one or more slots 144through which the catch members 164 k, 164 m can extend. To insert thelock mechanism 160 into the receiving structure 140, the lock mechanism160 is aligned with the cavity 142 and inserted in direction A.Initially, the catch members 164 k, 164 m will deflect inwardly againstthe sidewalls of the receiving structure 140, which is enabled viabending of the extension members 164 i, 164 j. As the lock mechanism 160is further inserted into the cavity, the catch members 164 k, 164 m willsnap out into the slots 144, where provided. Once this position isachieved, the lock mechanism 160 can slide within the cavity 142 in theA-B direction, but cannot be removed from the cavity 142 withoutmanually deflecting the catch members 164 k, 164 m back through theslots 144 while pulling the lock mechanism 160 from the cavity 142.

In the example shown, a single slot 144 is provided such that extensionmember 164 j and catch member 164 m remain permanently deflected againsta solid sidewall of the receiving structure 140. This configuration canbe advantageous in that the spring force provided by the extensionmember 164 j can further stabilize the lock mechanism 160 within thecavity 142 and can reduce vibration.

On the opposite side of the cavity 142, the rounded portion 162 e of thelock member is constructed to continuously contact the sidewall of thecavity 142. Additionally, the cover 106 is provided with a profiledsidewall 106 a against which the lock member nose 162 c can park againstwhen the lock mechanism 160 is in the fully unlocked position. Thisconfiguration can be advantageous in that the lock mechanism 160 can bepositively held from the lugs 122 while the cover is being rotatedwithout requiring an operator to both hold the lock mechanism 160 in theunlocked position while simultaneously attempting to rotate the cover106.

The insert portion 164 b further includes a guide slot 164 p whichslidably engages with a guide rib 148 located within the cavity 142 toprevent binding and to ensure that the lock mechanism 160 maintainsproper alignment within the cavity 142 as the lock mechanism 160 isbeing displaced in the A and B directions. The handle portion 148 a canalso include a pair of ribs 164 q, 164 r that together form a channel164 s that receive ribs 150 to further provide for alignment of the lockmechanism 160 with respect to the cover 106 when the lock mechanism isin the closed position.

Referring back to FIGS. 14 and 15, the operation of the lugs 122, 124and the lock mechanism 160 can be further understood. It is noted thatthe lug 124 located most proximate the lock mechanism 160, which is theonly lug 124 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, is provided with a shorter lengththan the remaining lugs 124. This configuration ensures that the lug 124does not block the lock member 162 from fully extending past the lug 122against which it is snapped over. As can be seen at FIG. 15, it is notpossible for the lug 124 to interfere with the lock member 162.

As the lock member 162 travels in the direction A, the lock member 162nose portion 162 c initially contacts the guide surface 122 d and isprevented from deflecting laterally off of the guide surface 122 d bythe guide member 122 j on one side and by the housing body 104 on theother side. As the lock member 162 is pushed further towards direction Avia handle portion 164 a, the nose portion 122 e slides along the slopedguide surface 122 d towards nose portion 122 e of the lug 122. The noseportion 162 c can deflect in such a manner due to bending in the segment162 b of the lock member 162. Eventually, the nose portion 162 c of thelock member 162 deflects past the guide surface 122 d and over the noseportion 122 e and then snaps into the recessed portion 122 f of the lug.Once the lock mechanism 160 is in this position, the cover 106 cannot berotated in direction O towards the open position due to the lock member162 being engaged against the lug 122 while the cover 106 can also notbe rotated in direction C due to the interfering engagement of the lugs122 with the lugs 124. As such, the cover 106 is securely held onto thehousing body 104 once the lock mechanism 160 has been moved to thelocked position such that the lock member 162 is disposed alongside andin contact with a portion of one of the lugs 122.

The lugs 122 and the lock member 162 are shaped such the snap-in featuredraws the entire lock mechanism 160 in direction A towards the lockmechanism once the lock member nose portion 162 c deflects past the lugnose portion 122 e. The spring tension in the lock member 162 holds thelock member 162 in this position by virtue of the combined forcesresulting from the bending of segment 162 b and the rounded portion 162e engaging against the side of the cavity 142 which causes bending atsegment 162 d and/or nose portion 162 c. Stated in other terms, at leasttwo portions of the lock member 162 are in a deflected state due tointeraction with a lug 124 and the cavity 142, wherein the combinedresulting forces from the deflected portions result in continuous springtension on the lug 124. It is noted that the lock member 162 can beprovided with a relatively small cross-sectional dimension because ofthis dual resistance function. In an embodiment where portions 162 d and162 e are not provided, the lock member 162 would need to have a largercross-sectional dimension in order to have the same locking force.

The above described bending action forces the nose portion 162 c in thedirection of the recess 122 f via segment 162 d. Correspondingly, agreater force is initially required when moving the lock mechanism indirection B towards the unlocked position to snap the lock member noseportion 162 c out of the recessed portion 122 f and past the lug noseportion 122 e. As this removal force can be significant, the catchmember(s) 164 k, 164 m are provided to ensure that the lock mechanism160 stays retained within the cavity 142 and does not pop out of cavity142 due to the resulting velocity created by the removal force onceresistance from the nose portion 122 e overcome.

Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31, it can be seen that the housing and coverlug configurations are not limited to those embodiments in which boththe lugs 122 and the lugs 124 have ramped engagement surfaces. Rather,either one of the lugs 122, 124 can be provided with a ramped surfacewhile the other of the lugs 122, 124 can be provided with any other typeof surfaces that engages with the ramped surface. In the particularembodiment shown at FIGS. 30 and 31, the lugs 124 are provided aspreviously shown and described while the lugs 122 are provided as pinsextending from the housing body 104. Although the pins 122 are shown ashaving generally round cross-section, other shapes may be used.Referring to FIG. 31, an additional set of lugs or pins 125 may beprovided such that the lock member 162 has a surface on the housing body104 to act against in the locked position. It is noted that the lugs 124and 125 may be formed as a single lug having the same contact surfacesfor the lugs 122 and the lock member 162.

The principles described herein can be applied in a variety of filterassemblies. Examples described in which the principles applied to (air)gas filter assemblies. Examples are described include air filters andcrankcase ventilation filter assemblies. The principles can be appliedto a variety of alternate gas filtration arrangements, in some instanceseven with liquid filter assemblies.

Again, the principles, techniques, and features described herein can beapplied in a variety of systems, and there is no requirement that all ofthe advantageous features identified be incorporated in an assembly,system or component to obtain some benefit according to the presentdisclosure.

1-31. (canceled)
 32. An air cleaner assembly: a. a housing including ahousing body and a removable cover that together define an interiorvolume for holding a filter cartridge, the removable cover beingrotatable with respect to the housing body along a plane of rotation; b.a first lug located on the housing body, the first lug having a firstramped engagement surface; c. a second lug located on the cover, thesecond lug having a second ramped engagement surface; and d. a lockmechanism disposed on the cover, the lock mechanism including a lockmember axially movable between a locked position and an unlockedposition; e. wherein the cover is positionable between a securedposition and an unsecured position: i. in the secured position, thefirst ramped engagement surface of the first lug being in overlappingcontact with the second ramped engagement surface of the second lug toprovide resistance to the cover from being rotated in a first directionalong the plane of rotation, wherein the lock member extends alongside aportion of the first lug to provide resistance to the cover from beingrotated in a second direction opposite the first direction; ii. in theunsecured position, the lock member is removed from being alongside thefirst lug such that the cover can be rotated in the second direction.33. The air cleaner assembly of claim 32, wherein: a. the first lug isone of a first plurality of lugs located on the housing body, each ofthe first plurality of lugs having a first ramped engagement surface;and b. the second lug is one of a second plurality of lugs located onthe cover, each of the second plurality of lugs having a second rampedengagement surface.
 34. The air cleaner assembly of claim 33, whereineach of the first plurality of lugs includes a guide surface disposed ata first angle that is oblique to the plane of rotation of the cover, theguide surface being for guiding the lock member towards a first side ofone of the first plurality of lugs as the lock member is being displacedbetween two of the first plurality of lugs.
 35. The air cleaner assemblyof claim 34, wherein each of the first plurality of lugs includes aguide member extending from the guide surface, the guide memberconstraining the movement of the lock member along the guide surface.36. The air cleaner assembly of claim 34, wherein the first angle isabout 10 degrees.
 37. The air cleaner assembly of claim 32, wherein thelock mechanism includes a main body to which the lock member is secured.38. The air cleaner assembly of claim 32, wherein the cover includes asidewall configured as a parking location for the lock member thatfrictionally retains the lock mechanism in the unlocked position. 39.The air cleaner assembly of claim 33, wherein each of the firstplurality of lugs includes a recessed portion and wherein the lockmember includes a nose portion that snaps into the recessed portion whenthe lock mechanism is moved to the locked position.
 40. The air cleanerassembly of claim 32 wherein only a single first lug is provided on thehousing body and only a single second lug is provided on the cover. 41.The air cleaner assembly of claim 32, wherein only a single first lug isprovided on the housing body.
 42. The air cleaner assembly of claim 32,wherein only a single second lug is provided on the cover.
 43. The aircleaner assembly of claim 41, wherein a plurality of radially spacedsecond lugs are provided on the cover.
 44. The air cleaner assembly ofclaim 42, wherein a plurality of radially spaced first lugs are providedon the housing body.
 45. The air cleaner assembly of claim 32, wherein aplurality of radially spaced first lugs are provided on the housing bodyand a plurality of radially spaced second lugs are provided on thecover.
 46. A lock mechanism for a filter cartridge assembly having ahousing body and a removable cover, the lock mechanism comprising: c. ahandle portion for operating the lock mechanism, the handle beingconfigured for insertion into the removable cover; and d. a lock memberconnected to the handle portion, the lock member being configured toengage with an engagement surface of the housing body; e. the lockmechanism being movable by the handle portion between an unlockedposition and a locked position: i. in the locked position, the lockingmember exerting a force against the engagement surface resulting from afirst portion of the lock member being in a first deflected state due toengagement of the lock member against the engagement surface of thehousing body and resulting from a second portion of the lock memberbeing in a second deflected state due to engagement of the lock memberagainst a portion of the removable cover.
 47. The lock mechanism ofclaim 46, wherein when the lock mechanism is in the unlocked position,the first portion of the lock member is in an undeflected state and thesecond portion is in a third deflected state.
 48. The lock mechanism ofclaim 46, wherein at least part of the lock member first portion extendsat an oblique angle with respect to the lock member second portion. 49.The lock mechanism of claim 46, further including a nose portionextending between the first portion and the nose portion.
 50. The lockmechanism of claim 49, wherein the nose portion extends at an obliqueangle to the first portion.
 51. The lock mechanism of claim 46, whereinthe lock member is a steel wire.
 52. The lock mechanism of claim 51,wherein the handle portion is formed from a plastic material.
 53. Thelock mechanism of claim 52, wherein the lock member is removablyattached to the handle portion.